The 3 acre PSC Resources site operated in the 1970s as a waste oil refinery and solvent recovery plant. The facility reclaimed drained oils and solvents from Massachusetts collection points, treated them with heat, and sold them as lube oil base stock, road spray, and heavy fuel mixes. Millions of gallons of waste were left behind in tanks and lagoons when the current owner abandoned the plant in 1978. In 1982, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MA DEP) requested assistance from EPA's Superfund program. EPA discovered several leaking tanks and containment dikes, as well as saturated soils. Surface waters, wetlands, property soils, and groundwater were found to be directly threatened by residual waste materials from past leaking tanks and containment dikes. Approximately 4,500 people live within 3 miles of the site. The Quaboag River is located 200 feet southwest of the site and is used for swimming and fishing. The property is located near a residential and commercial district and is adjacent to the town athletic field. The Palmer business district is located 1 mile from the site.

Shallow groundwater contamination consists mostly of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including benzene and methylene chloride. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), including Aroclor-1248 and Aroclor-1260, and lead have previously been found in soil samples. Contaminants have previously been detected in the soils and shallow groundwater in the nearby wetlands. The contaminated soils and contaminated soils in wetlands have been removed and treated. The site is located in a 100-year flood plain, providing conditions for flooding to wash contaminants from the site into the Quaboag River.

The tanks were emptied of over 1 million gallons of hazardous wastes between 1979 and 1984. In 1986, the MA DEP cleaned and removed the tanks. The MA DEP also fenced the site in 1986. The EPA completed the repair and reinforcement of the fence in the fall of 1991. The repair was necessary to limit unauthorized access and to extend the fence to include the debris pile and spill area on the western and southern sides of the site. Warning signs were also posted along the fence and on facility buildings. In addition, the decontamination and demolition of site structures and buildings was completed in late 1995.

Entire Site

The MA DEP studied the nature and extent of the contamination at the site. The investigation defined the contaminants and recommended alternatives for the final cleanup. The study was completed in May 1991, and a proposed plan for cleanup was distributed for public comment. The remedy, selected in 1992, called for the stabilization of the on-site contaminated soils and sediments, followed by capping. The engineering design of the remedy began in late 1994 and was completed in March 1997. Cleanup activities took place in 1997. Stabilization and capping of contaminated material was completed in November 1997. Wetland restoration activities were also completed in 1997. Maintenance of the cap, monitoring of groundwater and surface water and the restored wetlands commenced in 1998. Cleanup levels for groundwater have been met for all but two contaminants. An inspection of the restored wetlands was conducted in 2004 and 2005. The results of the inspections indicate that wetland restoration performance standards have been met at the restored wetland areas. Since wetland performance standards have been met, sediment monitoring has been suspended. In addition, due to the consistent reduction in groundwater contamination at the site, the frequency of groundwater monitoring was changed in 2009. Following the 2009 groundwater monitoring event, groundwater at the site will now be monitored every 5 years (2014, 2019, etc.)

Enforcement Highlights

In 1982, acting under authority of the Clean Water Act, the EPA asked the owner to contain the oil discharge, determine the contents of 22 tanks, and investigate the possibility of groundwater contamination. The owner complied with all requests. In 1994, the EPA, the Department of Justice, and the State Attorney General's Office announced a settlement with approximately 165 potentially responsible parties who have agreed to pay $6 million to cover past costs and the cost of cleaning up the site. In 1995, an additional 24 parties joined the 1994 settlement.

The removal of hazardous wastes, installation of a fence, decontamination and demolition of site structures and building, and treatment of contaminated soils have reduced the potential of exposure to hazardous substance at the PSC Resources site.

The site is currently in Operation and Maintenance phase. Since the last monitoring event, concentrations for the contaminants of concern have steadily decreased and most are below their respective cleanup levels. Monitoring activities have been modified to reflect improvements at the site. Sediment monitoring has been suspended as sediment performance standards have been met. Groundwater is being monitored every 5 years (2014, 2019, etc.). Restored wetlands have been monitored and maintained as required in the O&M Plan. All ten restoration areas have achieved their required performance criteria and are no longer being inspected.

EPA performed a third Five Year Review for the site which was completed on September 22, 2010. The Five Year Review, which is available at the site repositories, concluded that the remedy at the PSC Resources site is protective of human health and the environment.

EPA is currently conducting a fourth Five Year Review for the site to evaluate the protectiveness of the PSC Resources remedy. The Five Year Review is due to be completed by September 2015. Upon completion, the Five Year Review will be available at this web site, as well as at the site information repositories.